Bolton chiefs hope tax litigation ending as payments 'settled'

Bosses at struggling Bolton Wanderers are hoping that High Court litigation over tax is drawing to a close.

Inland Revenue officials wanted Bolton wound up after complaining that the club owed more than £2 million in tax.

But Bolton officials say overdue tax payments have been settled after new owners took control.

A spokesman said bosses expected a winding up petition to be lifted by a specialist judge at a hearing listed in London.

Registrar Clive Jones, who analysed the case earlier this month, had given the club more time to pay after being told of plans to sell and raise cash.

Club officials subsequently announced that the Sports Shield consortium - fronted by former club striker Dean Holdsworth - had taken control. They said on Sunday that Holdsworth had been made chief executive.

Bosses parted company with manager Neil Lennon shortly after Holdsworth's consortium took control. Jimmy Phillips has been put in interim charge.

Bolton, who are bottom of the Sky Bet Championship table, slipped nearer to relegation on Saturday after losing 6-0 at Bristol City.